Thanks to all. As I said, Buddhists are not primarily concerned about statues. It has been said many times in our tradition that we would burn every statue if it would enlighten a single person. On the other hand, many Buddhists weave scarves to keep the statues warm on cold days, and talk to them as if they were family members. They are just expressions of love. That is what causes us sadness -- that they were built in reverence, and are being destroyed in mindlessness. Mindlessness that is reflected in the treatment of women, and the vicious version of Islam these idiots propound. It is also a reminder, as I said, of recent terrible histories that no one knows about. The Buddha will survive rocket attacks.

yours, Peter